Minutes — Rialto City Council, August 17, 2023

SPECIAL MEETING
of the

CITY OF RIALTO

CITY COUNCIL

BUDGET WORKSHOP

MINUTES
AUGUST 17, 2023

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Rialto was held in the City Council Chambers located at 150 South Palm Avenue, Rialto, California 92376, on Thursday, August 17, 2023.
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This meeting was called by the presiding officer of the Rialto City Council in accordance with the provisions of Government Code §54956 of the State of California.
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CALL TO ORDER Mayor Deborah Robertson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 0o0
Pledge of Allegiance City Treasurer Edward Carrillo led the Pledge of Allegiance. 0o0
The roll was called, and the following were present: Mayor Deborah Robertson, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Carrizales, Council Member Ed Scott, Council Member Rafael Trujillo , Council Member Joe Baca.

Also present were Interim City Manager Henry Garcia, Assistant City Manager Arron Brown, City Attorney Eric Vail , City Treasurer Edward Carrillo, and City Clerk Barbara McGee.
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BUDGET

WORKSHOP
Henry Garcia, Interim City Manager, and Arron Brown, Assistant City Manager, presented staff report to Request that the City Council Conduct a Budget Workshop to discuss the Budget Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and provide staff with direction on budget additions and modifications; Adopt Resolution No. 8128 continuing the FY 2022-2023 budget until September 30th, 2023, or whenever the City Council adopts the 2023-2024 budget.
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Mayor Robertson requested that the GANN initiative be addressed and its role in the City.
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WORKSHOP
Arron Brown, Assistant City Manager, spoke in depth related to the GANN Limit initiative also known a s Proposition 4 of 1979 and its inception and the limits on the allocated expenditures that any government entity within the State of California including the State of California can make.

There is $3.3 million dollars remaining , and staff is seeking direction from the City Council’s as to where it should be allocated. That GANN limit is our ceiling.
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Interim City Manager Garcia stated that the intent i n addition to the presentation is to obtain the City Council’s vision and the fluctuations and movements the City Council determines are necessary to adjust the budget accordingly.
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Assistant City Manager Arron Brown informed to the City Council to how Budget Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 was prepared and explained the budget process with each individual department. Budget adjustments made were made based on historical trends. Every department head was a partner in the process. It was a team-oriented approach.

He proceeded to the General Fund Review presentation.
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General Fund
Budget Review

Katherine Stevens, Director of Finance , presented the General Fund Review:

Unrestricted Fund Balance
• FY2021-22 - $24,961,419
• FY2022-23 - $22,609,950 (Estimate)
• FY2023-24 - $22,868,428 (Proposed)
FY 2023-24 – General Fund Revenue
• Revised Budget 2022/2023: $136.6 million
• Projected Budget 2023/2024: $129.4 million
Highest revenue sources include property tax, utility users tax, and sales tax.

There is a five percent reduction in the revenue from the Revised to Projected Budget due to the GANN Limit restriction.

FY 2023-24 – General Fund Expenses:
• Projected Budget 2023/2024: $129.2 million
Personnel – 66.07%
Services & Supplies – 30.43%
There is a 10 percent reduction from the Revised Budget 2022/2023 to Projected Budget 2023/2024.
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Mayor Robertson asked for clarification under General Fund Expenses in the Others category the difference from $1.2 million in Actual 2022/2021 to $3.2 million Projected Budget 2023/2024. She asked for examples in the Others category.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated examples in the Others category include subsidies such as one-time expenses, LMDs, cemetery. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked if there were any Other subsidy expenses last year or in the Actual.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated there were none in the Actual or the Revised Budget.
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Council Member Baca asked how the projected figure of $3.2 million for 2023/2024 from $1.2 million in Actual 2020/2021.
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Director of Finance Stevens explained the various departments include their forecasted revenue for subsidies for the Other areas and the General Fund makes up the shortfall.
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Council Member Baca clarified that it did not include personnel it only included subsidies.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated some personnel is allocated to those funds such as the streetlight district become part of the subsidy if the revenue is not met to cover the whole funds expenses.
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Council Member Baca stated that since COVID, ma ny City positions have not been filled and asked if the subsidies are due to that aspect.

He also asked if this projection is based on any potential growth in population.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated the growth in population would need to be referred to actual department when they speak on their budgets. 0o0
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Council Member Baca restated his question related to how much of a percentage will the Other category include personnel.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated it will include whatever personnel is allocated to those funds. From a financial standpoint, they make certain that fund is whole.

The departments produce what their budget with projected expenses, which may include personnel, then they produce their revenue estimate.

The General Fund fills in the shortfall in the fund.
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Council Member Trujillo commented related to the Payment Maintenance Fee line-item removal and asked if additional line items were removed in this budget that the City Council should be made aware of.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated that in the General Fund it was not removed, it was reallocated to the non-departmental area of the budget.

This year, the PERS Unfunded Liability has been moved to non-departmental. It has no relation with salaries and expenses with the actual payroll.
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Assistant City Manager Brown clarified the Payment Management Fee has been removed. From an accounting s tandpoint, it resides in a different area of the budget. There is no Payment Management Fee proposed in any way in this budget.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated she was referring to the mov ement of an item. What used to be listed and is now in another area. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo asked if there were other line-item movement. 0o0
Director of Finance Stevens stated that other items included in the Other category are Workers’ Compensation Recovery Fund.
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Council Member Scott asked related to the General Fund Revenue page and requested information indicating actual revenue in the Property Tax, Utility Users Tax, and Sales Tax category from 2014 to present. 0o0

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Director of Finance Stevens stated yes, she could.
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Mayor Robertson requested that in the future, examples of items in the Other categories be included.
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Council Member Trujillo asked if sales tax revenue is expected to drop based on HDL.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated yes. The figures are from the last quarter. That occurred at the beginning of July.
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Council Member Trujillo commented that there appears to be a slight downturn on sales tax.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated the sales tax forecast is set to increase but at a lower percentage. The downturn is in the amount that can be appropriated due to the GANN limit. It’s the percentage allowed to budget.
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Council Member Trujillo asked what happens to the other portion of the percentage.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated those funds are brought at the end of the year around September, October to inform the City Council of the overage in revenue received and discuss how funds will be allocated. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo asked if that figure is capped by the GANN limit.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated no. The initial appropriation is capped at the GANN limit.

She continued with the FY 2023 -24 All Funds Revenue budget presentation.

All Funds Revenue:
• Projected Budget 2023/2024: $234.9 million
It includes every source of revenue the City has.
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Mayor Robertson asked if it included sales and property taxes. 0o0
Director of Finance Stevens stated yes.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated Utility Users Tax.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated all taxes for the City. 0o0

Director of Finance Steven s continued with FY 2023 -24 All Funds Expenses budget presentation.
• Projected Budget 2023/2024: $225.9 million
The City is operating on a surplus budget.

GANN Limit Review 2023/2024:
• Maximum limit for current year’s appropriation from “proceeds of taxes: $101.8 million
Allowable Increase is $3.3 million. The City is underneath the GANN limit.
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Interim City Manager Garcia stated that the GANN limit is a restriction, but it is a significant one. The parameters are within $3.3 million ceiling. 0o0
Mayor Robertson commented if services and supplies were split, it would be important to show how much is consulting services versus the supplies purchased. She is hopeful the trend moves toward personnel performing the job than consulting services. She w ould like to know what percentage is consulting services versus supplies both under procurement.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales agreed and asked why both items were placed under Other category.
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Council Member Scott asked if there was a breakdown by department. 0o0

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Director of Finance Stevens stated that every section of the departments has their individual breakdown with their amounts.

Historically, they have been in the same category. The budget team this year worked in reclassing consultants and making certain they were budgeted for contract services account.
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City Council
Budget Review

Assistant City Manager Brown presented City Council Departmental Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $915,242
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $1,002,267
Increase from Prior Year: $87,025
The interns were modified. Previous budget was five high school interns and five college interns. It was modified to seven college intern s and three high school interns based on what the City Council decides. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked if the salary increase was based on the seven college interns.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated correct. Should the City Council hire additional high school instead of college interns, it’s budget savings. 0o0
Council Member Baca asked how the increase from the prior year is determined if not all Council Members hired an intern.
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Assistant City Manager Brown explained that this is a comparable of the budget and not of the actual spend. It is to budget t o make certain the funds are available. The numbers are used as if they were across the board.
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Council Member Baca reiterated that as indicated gives the impression that there is an increase from prior years when not all Council Members hired an intern.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated that there is the Revised Budget and the Proposed Budget with the new number. The actual spend would have to be reviewed.
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Mayor Robertson commented that the FY24 Proposed Budget appears to be increasing considering all the funds for the previous year had not been exhausted. It gives the appearance that all funds were expended for FY23 and an increased is proposed for FY24.

She stated that if it was carried consistently the same pages of what happens in each department with the same framework, savings would be reflected. She pointed out not all Council Members hired staff and some exhausted their portion prior to closing budget. It gives a different image. Had that portion not been used, then there would have been savings.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated should not all 10,000 hours be exhausted; the savings would be re presented in the year -end closeout with either excess revenue or an amount planned to budget that met the revenue but not spent.
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Mayor Robertson stated for continuity purposes that would be the way to view it when it’s time for closeout.
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Council Member Baca stated it should reflect the actual expense and anticipated expense. It appears a certain expense and an additional increase expense is expected.
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Mayor Robertson stated that the original budget amount should be reflected and how it compares to the revised budget amount. Was the original less or greater.
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Director of Finance Stevens referred to the binder under the City Council page budget versus actual page which reflects the actual spend to date and the revised budget at the time and what is projected. 0o0
Mayor Robertson emphasized from a public pe rspective, the only reference is a PowerPoint and not all the details are shown. 0o0
Assistant City Manager Brown stated it is great information to have and to include all the material requested.
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Interim City Manager Garcia stated he will make certain that it is not misportrayed. It will be corrected by the September 12, 2023 City Council meeting.
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Assistant City Manager Brown presented City Manager Departmental Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $2,630,047
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $1,912,839
Reduction from Prior Year: $708,208
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City Clerk
Management Services
Budget Review

Assistant City Manager Brown presented City Clerk/Management Services Departmental Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $809,322
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $511,421
Reduction from Prior Year: $297,901
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City Clerk McGee stated there is a decrease in the
City Clerk/Management budget when it’s not an election year. It will be added in next year’s budget.
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Mayor Robertson stated the details review page reflects the Adopted Budget for 2022/2023. She asked where is the Actual Proposed Budget FY2022/2023.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated historically when the Finance Department has brought the Proposed Budget, it has been taken from the Revised, Actual and Projected Budget. They can include the Original as well.
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Mayor Robertson stated she sees the Adopted Budget for 2022/2023 in the summary and that is how the City of Rialto does it. 0o0
Director of Finance Stevens stated she has not seen it with other agencies. She does her best to stay consistent.
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Mayor Robertson recommended adopting a standard system to stay consistent.
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It’s primarily impacted on Mondays and Fridays due to low staffing. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo asked if passport services typically generate approximately $400,000 in revenue.
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City Clerk McGee stated approximately.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated it wholly funds several positions that are dedicated to that function.
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Interim City Manager Garcia asked if they felt comfortable to proceed. 0o0
Utilities
Budget Review
Mayor Robertson asked about Utilities Budget Review since it is the one unit that reports back to the City Council.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated there have not been any changes in the rule of budget from what has been seen in the past. The Utilities Budget remains exactly as it was. This is a General Fund Overview. 0o0
Mayor Robertson believed new staff was hired in the past year. 0o0
Interim City Manager Garcia stated Utilities Manager Crowley will refresh what Assistant City Manager Brown has stated.
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Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $5,148,653
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $5,203,160
Increase from Prior Year: $54,507
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Interim City Manager Garcia addressed a City Council concern related to the Community Development Department topic of more worker bees versus more managers. A workforce assessment plan will be performed when Director Cataldi returns. Once completed, it wi ll return to the City Council at the mid-year budget.
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Council Member Trujillo stated that he understands there are top priorities in progress. He believes customer service should be the top priority. Any changes should have justification on how customer service will improve. Many calls he received are related to this department.

He wants to make certain that changes made through this department will benefit the customer service aspect.
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Council Member Scott agreed with Council Member Trujillo regarding customer service. It is lacking. He pointed out the disparity in workload among building inspectors. Hiring building inspectors should be a priority over management individuals in the department. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales emphasized the need of a bilingual staff member and asked how many staff members are Spanish speaking in the department.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated the Spanish language levels are written and spoken.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales clarified how many individuals speak Spanish in the department.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated there are numerous. 0o0
Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Curian stated she will provide those numbers to the City Council.
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He emphasized the importance of bilingual staff considering this is a community that is 70 percent Latino. He stressed the importance of accommodating the public and having a pleasant experience with the City.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated he and Interim City Manager Garcia resolved the employee lunchtime issue.
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Mayor Robertson agreed with the Council Member and stated she also receives calls from people wanting to speak with upper management to move a project forward. The customer service aspect is lacking.

She asked about the process and timeframe for plan checking.

The response time is lengthy. There is a problem with the department’s systemic structure. She expressed her concerns that there is a greater emphasis on reclassifying levels rather than improving upfront operations. It will be on hold until it is determined which direction to go. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales stressed the need for department customer service coaching. He believes the department should function with a more customer -centered emphasis. The departme nt’s culture needs improvement. The department’s clientele are investors – investors to the City of Rialto’s organization. They should be treated with the upmost respect. He receives the calls year -round and is told about the comparisons with other agen cies. The negative narrative has been reoccurring for the last five years. He suggests staff obtain intensive customer service training that will amaze the community and public that engage or do business with the City.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated that is already in process. It is not isolated to only that department. It will be available City-wide to anyone that is forward-facing to place concentration on customer service. 0o0

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He agreed that the customer service training will help with staff performance, and it needs to be ongoin g. This applies to all City departments not only Community Development.
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Council Member Trujillo also requested timetables on average response time for solar panel permits, building permits so the public knows what to expect.
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Mayor Robertson agrees City -wide training is beneficial and asks why has it taken this long.
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Engineering Department
Budget Review

Tim Sullivan, Director of Maintenance and Facilities , presented Engineering Departmental Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $5,764,624
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $5,185,650
Reduction from Prior Year: $578,974
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Council Member Scott restated that Engineering Department needs to improve their customer service and timeframe matters.
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Council Member Baca thanked Director Sullivan and department staff for their work. He asked about the anticipated need for additional road maintenance and repair and draining system with the increase building of warehouses and asked if the budget accounts for that. 0o0
Director of Maintenance and Facilities Sullivan stated there is funding allocated to the Maintenance and Facilities budget for Hardy & Harper to address potholes for this year and last.

Staff will be presenting a capital improvement program to the City Council at mid -year related to plans and studies on sidewalks, curb - gutter sidewalks and continue current backlog of CIPs. Engineering has been very successful at receiving grants. There is $8.2 million dollars in grants and staff will be presenting another grant for $7 million dollars.

The department is catching up on backlogs and CIPs and will return to the City Council at midyear with a five -year projection on moving forward.
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Council Member Trujillo inquired about Safe Routes to School and asked about a consultant for areas outside of the Rialto School District that are within the City to address sidewalks and traffic concerns.

He connected with the outside school districts covering the Rialto area, and they will not invest in the City. He wants to make certain the City of Rialto addresses the work that needs attention.
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Director of Maintenance and Facilities Sullivan stated staff will examine the matter and attempt to incorporate or branch out to the neighboring cities or school districts to determine what can be done. 0o0
Council Member Baca stated it is also the responsibility of the Council Members to work with the school districts to establish a cooperative effort between agencies to address the issues and finances required to improve traffic conditions withing the schools.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales stated interns are collecting data to identify damaged sidewalk location s. Information will be relayed to the Engineering Department to hopefully incorporate into the CIP to address the locations with the most need.
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Mayor Robertson stated when discussing the budget, there needs to be measure performance. Discussions are continually repeated every year.

Unforeseen circumstances cannot be predicted, but the delivery of performance on the subject matter.
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Assistant City Manager Brown thanked Director of Maintenance and Facilities Sullivan for sitting in for the Engineering Services Director covering multiple departments.
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Mayor Robertson asked who is the Engineering Services Director.

She asked if Director Sullivan is in an Acting position. 0o0
Assistant City Manager Brown clarified that Director Sullivan is sitting in for the current Engineering Services Direct or Alberto Paiva who is out and Director Sullivan has been covering the department. 0o0
Council Member Scott asked if Director Sullivan is Acting Engineering Services Director for the department.
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It’s two separate departments.
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Council Member Scott stated the problem is that the City Council does not know who to contact. No one has notified the City Council.

He asked if the Director of Engineering has been out, is there an Acting Director of Engineering.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated there is a contract City Engineer and Director Sullivan has been managing the department awaiting Director Paiva’s return.
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Interim City Manager Garcia stated there is no one sitting in that Department acting as the Acting Department Head.
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Council Member Scott asked why not. If Director Sullivan is sitting in why is he not Acting.
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Interim City Manager Garcia clarified if Council Member Scott asked if Director Sullivan was carrying the title.
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Council Member Scott stated yes.
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Director of Maintenance and Facilities Sullivan stated he is happy. 0o0
Interim City Manager Garcia stated the question is fair and that the frustration Mayor and the City Council are exhibiting is one of being in tune with the organization for who is doing what, when, and where.

Council Member Scott has asked for a roster of names which have started to develop for the benefit of the staff and City Council and more importantly how it is being used on the website, so people can call these individuals. What I am interpreting, is we have to be more responsive.

We have to be more metric, we have to measure more things, we have to customer service. Customer service, responsiveness, and the ability to get to yes in Community Development is everywhere. I t does not mean that’s a cultural norm and it’s acceptable. We have to course - correct. And everything you are saying here – by the way – because I think the next logical step everything we have said where does it go? And I have that answer.

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Your message to me and the message to the department head here is we need improvement in those areas because you are hearing about it.

As Mayor Robertson said, who is going to do it, when is it going to be there, and what should we expect as a result of spending money in customer service? It applies to everything.
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Mayor Robertson stated it is hard to clarify what the structure should be based on what we see on paper and what is actually in place for the moment. She asked if the contract employee takes care of the workload, who is supervising the department staff.
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Council Member Baca stated that it sends a message to the public that positions may need to be consolidated if someone is handling that responsibility as well when a position is not being replaced with an Interim.

He appreciates all the work from Director Sullivan and the Engineering staff have done.
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Interim City Manager Garcia stated observations are good. Director Sullivan is happy.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales asked Assistant City Manager Brown related to the organizational chart being prepared. It needs to be live and current on the City website.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated it’s in the same state as before, and he will meet with Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales to discuss matter. 0o0
Finance Department
Budget Review

Katherine Steven s, Finance Director , presented Finance Department Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $5,330,069
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $3,048,707
Reduction from Prior Year: $ 2,281,362
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Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $27,254,128
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $24,321,935
Reduction from Prior Year: $ 2,932,193
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Assistant City Manager Brown asked to discuss the unfunded liability and why it appears as a significant reduction in budget. 0o0
Fire Chief Park stated that by using EMS reimbursement funds and being more strategic allowed to remove general fund encumbrances. 0o0
Assistant City Manager Brown stated the presentation reflects a reduction from prior year of $2.9 million. Director of Finance Stevens will explain.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated it was approximately $2.8 million.

It was one of the transfers made to the non -departmental for the unfunded liability. It was being charged against the Fire Department’s budget, but it had no relation with their operating expense. 0o0
Council Member Scott inquired about the reclassification of the Executive Assistant.
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Fire Chief Park stated it will be reclassified and removing that position to the Community Education and Outreach Specialist.
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Council Member Scott asked what position will be in its place. 0o0

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Fire Chief Park stated yes. Sand and sandbags are available at the Maintenance and Facilities building and Fire Station 203. 0o0
Council Member Scott asked if fire rescue boats were prepared. 0o0
Fire Chief Park stated his emergency equipment is ready to go. 0o0
Council Member Scott commented on the negative newspaper article and hoped he would address it through the budget process on how to improve the City’s image.
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Council Member Baca asked about the communications systems and wanted to make certain equipment is up to date with the latest technological advancement. He hopes it was projected in the budget. 0o0
Fire Chief Park stated they have complete interop erability with the law enforcement partners in Rialto and the region.

For the last three years, the City Council has generously replaced the department’s radios. They are equipped with the most modernized radio equipment thanks to the City Council.
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Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $1,838,336
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $1,359,200
Reduction from Prior Year: $479,136
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Council Member Scott inquired if the Deputy Director position was Director Curian’s former position and asked if anyone has filled that role since becoming the Director.
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Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Curian stated correct.

No one has filled the position.
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Council Member Scott asked if Director Curian needs a Deputy Director. 0o0
Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Curian stated she does not need a Deputy Director.
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He asked if there are Citywide proactive approaches in risk management throughout the City.
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Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Curian stated online training has been implemented through the City PRISM, Public Risk Innovation, Solutions and Management, risk pool PRISM available to all City employees.

The reclassi fication of the Senior Analyst will be solely dedicated towards risk and risk management implementing a risk program that includes safety inspections, CalOSHA training, and managing risks specific to individual departments.
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Council Member Scott stated he anticipates risk management be made available to community members related to claims and lawsuits that the City should be not involved in.
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Mayor Robertson believed there were more activities within the Human Resources Department.
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Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Curian stated general liability, workers’ compensation, and human resources administration. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked about EEO discrimination complaints and where are they handled.
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Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Curian stated the discrimination and EEO complaints go toward our general liability fund. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked which department manages it.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated those functions are recorded in the internal service funds.
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Mayor Robertson asked if Human Resources is where an EEO discrimination complaint is filed.
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It is housed in Human Resources.
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Mayor Robertson expressed her concerns. She believed it needs to be separated. There should be levels of confidentiality. She does not believe the structure and model has been managed in the same department, but it has been in the City of Rialto.
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Director of Human Resources/Risk Management Curian stated EEO claims, disciplinary matters, grievances, discrimination claims are solely handled by Director Curian.
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Mayor Robertson restated the activity should be separated.

Other models show that is generally the way it is structured. 0o0
Information Technology
Department
Budget Review
Arron Brown, Assistant City Manager, presented Information Technology Department Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $3,797,924
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $3,277,887
Reduction from Prior Year: $520,037
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Council Member Trujillo thanked IT for their work.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated the City Council made a significant investment in equipment from a security standpoint production. The City will be accepting business license renewals online soon. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked if it includes online plans submittal not only permit requests.
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Assistant City Manager Brown stated that the old system has been upgraded to a modernized TrakIt system, to have online processing, permitting with the current system then transition to new system once it began.
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Tim Sullivan, Maintenance & Facilities Director, presented Maintenance and Facilities Department Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $11,562,179
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $11,730,535
Reduction from Prior Year: $168,356
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizale s inquired about information on vehicle fleet, their value and lifespan.
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Maintenance & Facilities Director Sullivan stated he can produce information on the state of the fleet. Policies and replacements are based on APWA standards. Police vehicle ’s lifespan is three to five years or 75,000 miles.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales stated there are some police vehicles that are approximately 20 years old. He requested the numbers to determine what needs replacement.
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Council Member Trujillo requested that the fleet information either have a “lease” or “own” designation.
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Maintenance & Facilities Director Sullivan stated absolutely. 0o0
Parks, Recreation & Community
Services Department
Budget Review
Cynthia Alvarado -Crawford, Community Services Directo r, presented Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $8,640,380
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $9,078,866
Increase from Prior Year: $ 438,486
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Council Member Trujillo asked about the Park Ranger program’s impact on vandalism.
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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Rialto Special Meeting
Special Budget Workshop Minutes – August 17, 2023 Page 23 Parks, Recreation & Community
Services Department
Budget Review
Community Services Director Alvarado-Crawford stated the new hire is no longer employed with the City of Rialto. Police Chief Kling is continuing the recruitm ent process. Security has made a considerable difference with the participation during the night shift. Gates at the parks have been installed and close at 10:00 p.m. It has helped reduce the park’s activity. The parking issue has been addressed. The department works closely with the Police Department. They connect with Police Chief or Captain anytime they need a matter addressed.
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Council Member Trujillo commented that JVS SoCAL a veteran’s resource organization is interested in conducting a resource fair in Rialto in November.
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Community Services Director Alvarado -Crawford stated if that is the direction of the City Council, it can be added to the events summary and determine how it can be accommodated.
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Council Member Trujillo stated that is something he would like to bring to the City. JVS is an organization with many resources at their disposal. 0o0
Mayor Robertson communicated that in order to add to the events summary, an events application would need to be submitted. She also has requested an event for Veterans Day, and it would need to be coordinated. There’s a structure that needs to be followed. The list is a collection of all the events, and they all don’t fall under the ownership of Parks & Recreation and Community Services.
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Council Member Trujillo inquired about childcare and asked about the status on participation.
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Community Services Director Alvarado-Crawford stated prior to COVID, the City conducted a childcare program. Due to staffing levels, the program has not re opened. The budget is available, but the retention level of staff is not.
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Council Member Scott acknowledged the rise in costs in holding events and asked if the Rialto business community has been approached to sponsor sports teams or pay for uniforms. Past discussions included allowing businesses to sponsor fields and parks to increase revenue and pay for programs. He has not seen any g rowth in the concept.

He recommends the department consider it. He asked Director Alvarado-Crawford to attend an EDC meeting to discuss the matter further.

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He would like to explore that possibility to determine if it will be budgeted or sponsored.

He suggested the City consider pickleball courts due to its popularity and growth. The City needs to keep up. His vision is to expand the Johnson Center , basketball courts and adding pickleball court with a new administration building, amphitheater and WIFI at each park in the future.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales inquired about the Rialto Progress magazine and asked if there was a possibility of consolidating one per year and begin using a digital platform and utilize left -over funds to create geo-targeting within the City to have direct communication with the community and attract more residents to local events. That’s a question Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales’ posed to the Council Members. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked how many progress magazines are there per year.
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Community Services Director Alvarado -Crawford stated one magazine is published every four months. Three total in a year.

Residents call when the hard -copy magazine is delayed. The City encourages utilizing the QR codes throughout the magazine for additional information without adding expense to the 60-80-page costs budgeted based on the issue.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales asked about the sponsorship from advertisements.
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The administrative analyst and events programmer have put sponsor packets together and have secured some funds. The duty requires a full-time position and 100 percent focus to complete.
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Council Member Trujillo commented that he often receives text messages from the Rialto Unified School District but not from the Community Services Department
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Community Services Director Alvarado -Crawford stated if someone is registered in one of the City programs, registrants receive messages and communication notices. The department relies on social media to publish communication.
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Mayor Robertson emphasized that prior to heading to a digital platform, we obtain opinion on the matter. Some of the public such as seniors and those not as engaged in technology still ask for the magazine.

She recommends publishing twice a year instead of three. 0o0

Council Member Scott stated it is worth exploring.

He asked what is the largest cost to the magazine.
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Community Services Director Alvarado-Crawford stated printing. 0o0
Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales asked what is the cost of the magazine. 0o0
Community Services Director Alvarado-Crawford stated the cost is split between the Community Services Department and the City Manager ’s Office. The 80 percent is in the City Manager’s Office. She can provide more exact information at a later time.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales reiterated the importance of reaching out to the community through digital platform to utilize as a form of communication especially for emergency purposes or City event update information. He would like to see the City proactive with social media and online platform. It needs to be explored further. It would help the environment.
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Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $48,625,260
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $42,824,244
Reduction from Prior Year: $5,801,016
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Council Member Trujillo thanked Police Chief Kling for bringing back the Pride Platoon. He asked about the junior and senior driving program. 0o0

Police Chief Kling stated it is currently being worked on through the traffic division. It will be a new community outreach program. 0o0
Council Member Trujillo commented residents’ interest in the driving program and the discount associated with it. He suggested it be marketed as a value to the residents.
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Police Chief Kling stated they would make certain of it in conjunction with AAA.
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Council Member Scott asked for status on recruitment.
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Recruitment is a challenge in law enforcement due to competing from a very small pool of candidates that are going from every department.

There are a number of vacancies. The Rialto Police Department is a very young and upcoming, progressive police department.

He believes there will be a significant gain this upcoming year.

The difference will be visible with the Traffic Division and what is being done with the community in providing safety.
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Council Member Scott asked for the status on commercial enforcement. 0o0
Police Chief Kling stated the City Council approved four commercial vehicles. There are currently two active commercial officers making significant gains. A few years from now, there will be more than four officers on the road.
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Council Member Scott commented related to the money committed by developers but does not anticipate those funds until CFOs on those projects.
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Police Chief Kling stated that’s correct.
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Mayor Robertson asked if the department’s positions are fully staffed. 0o0
Police Chief Kling stated no they are not. Under the administrative team, animal control was revised. There are two candidates in the background phase of recruitment.

They are teaming up with Fontana’s Police Department’s animal control to train Rialto’s animal control for four months of preparation so that all animal control officers are consistent with the training being received. 0o0
Mayor Robertson asked how Animal Control service can assist the community being that it is not a 24 -hour service. She asked if police officers step in when Animal Control is not in service. 0o0

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Spyder, a technology-based program currently being implemented to update the public contacting the police department on the status of their service call with text messages. They are moving towards a more responsive agency.
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Mayor Robertson asked about the Ordinance allowing residents three registered animals at a home. She is requesting information on the origin of the Ordinance, and when it was adopted and the logic behind it.
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Mayor Pro Tem Carrizales requested information on the number of registered animal restrictions for commercial properties . Watch dogs have helped deter vandalism on commercial property. It has been an ongoing concern for owners. He believes the number of animals allowed is also three. The Ordinance may need to be revised. 0o0
City Treasurer
Budget Review
Edward Carrillo, City Treasurer, presented City Treasurer Review.

Expenditures:
• FY23 Revised Budget: $777,910
• FY24 Proposed Budget: $558,145
Reduction from Prior Year: $219,765
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Mayor Robertson inquired on special events calendar and asked about profit and loss for each department.
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Director of Finance Stevens stated the expense information was emailed what Eden captured. The new system will be more detailed.

Project codes were created for each event and the code can be used and attached to revenue, salary time, and expenses. They are waiting on City Council budget approval to load the budget into the project and run statement on any event.
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CLOSING REMARKS

INTERIM CITY MANAGER

Interim City Manager Garcia stated based on the conservative approach, the intent is to takes all the notes taking tonight by the Assistant City Manager Brown. We are going to look at those tomorrow to make sure we have the appropriate answers come the Public Hearing on September 12, 2023, should you decide to pass that budget that evening. That will be my recommendation based on tonight’s comments is that you’ll be at a good spot that has your questions and concerns addressed tonight. We will have them Monday and figure out how to do the rest of those Items.

At that Public Hearing, being scheduled to be set on the August 22, 2023, meeting. Our intent is to come back with the top 10 slides of the top 9 slides from Finance Director Stevens and have the attachment on the progress that you would like to see based on tonight’s workshop.

Some of those are nonaction-oriented Items in terms of dollars such as when will the assessment of Community Development come back? We’re going to have that. When will c ustomer service training start across the board? We’re going to have that. Then there will be some other itemizing that you asked for.

Interim City Manager Garcia stated we’ll have all those in the timeline ready for you to go so you’ll be i n the best comfortable position come the Public Hearing for the budget which will be an abbreviated version of just those slides by the Finance Director unless you deem it differently.

My closing thoughts – I think we’ve covered a lot of ground. Your input has been exceptionally valuable. It is a common theme that I’ve heard individually from some of you on some of these particular topics.

The time is to turn this back over to you for any closing comments on the budget this evening with expectation to approve it on September 12, 2023.
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Motion by Council Member Scott second by Council Member Trujillo and carried by a 5 -0 vote to Adopt Resolution No. 8128 continuing the FY 2022 -2023 budget until September 30 th, 2023, or whenever the City Council adopts the 2023-2024 budget.
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_______________________________

MAYOR DEBORAH ROBERTSON

ATTEST:

_____________________________
CITY CLERK BARBARA A. McGEE

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Rialto City CouncilAugust 17, 2023

Rialto City Council
August 17, 2023